PhillyClout Team

Mayor Nutter said today he is keeping a close eye on SEPTA contract talks, as the possibilty of a transit strike looms.

"I'm staying in touch with [SEPTA General Manager] Joe Casey and the SEPTA board," Nutter said. "We want people to be able to get around. I'm hopeful that we don't have a strike."

The current SEPTA contract expires at midnight on March 15. One key issue for the union is the SEPTA policy of subcontracting out work, particularly as the city is poised to receive substantial economic stimulus funding.

Nutter didn't say if he would intervene if talks go south. But he stressed that the city's buses, subways and trolleys are even more important to residents in this current tough economic climate.